The IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index maintained its June reading of 48.1 in the July survey. The index is 0.2 points above its 12-month average of 47.9, 3.7 points above its reading of 44.4 in December 2007 when the economy entered the recession, and 1.1 points below its all-time average of 49.2.

The uneven U.S. recovery isn't lifting all boats. For those with college degrees, jobs are plentiful, while for those with high school education or less, they're nearly nonexistent. This is America's real inequality problem.]]>

More than half the public says Hillary Clinton is not trustworthy, one of several problems that could hamper her bid for the presidency, the May IBD/TIPP poll finds. The poll found that 51% of the public does not believe Hillary is trustworthy; just 43% think she is. Independents were even more skeptical, with 60% saying Hillary is not trustworthy.]]>

Americans were more upbeat in the latest IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index. But there was a marked split between those living in states thumped by the plunge in oil prices, and those outside the energy patch who were benefitting from cheaper gasoline prices.]]>

A significant religious divide has opened up in the country. IBD/TIPP polls taken in March and April show that Christians — including both Protestants and Catholics — strongly oppose President Obama on almost every issue, from his economic policies, to his attempts at a deal with Iran, to his immigration policies. Those Americans without religious affiliation remain enthusiastic supporters.]]>

The U.S. and other global powers announced that they've set the "parameters" of a nuclear deal with Iran. But Americans don't trust Tehran, with a bipartisan majority saying that Congress should have to approve any agreement, according to the latest IBD/TIPP Poll.]]>

The venerated Gallup Poll took a beating this year for being such an outlier in its predictions of who would win the presidency, and the New York Times's Nate Silver has now served up further evidence that the firm has lost its mojo. Silver analyzed the results obtained by about two dozen top polling firms that ran multiple surveys in the last three weeks of the campaign and then ranked the pollsters based on their accuracy: Gallup came in dead last, with an average error of 7.2 points compared to the actual results.